Wolves Drop 4-2 Decision To Checkers

CHARLOTTE, N.C.---The Chicago Wolves jumped out to a 2-0 lead after twenty minutes of play but surrendered the next four goals as the Charlotte Checkers skated away with a 4-2 win Friday night at the Time Warner Cable Arena.

Chicago (12-10-1-3) opened scoring at 13:52 of the first period. Forward Tim Miller collected the puck in the slot and slipped a shot on net that was kicked away by Checkers goaltender Mike Murphy but the rebound came to a streaking Oreskovich who tapped home the puck into an empty net.

The Wolves doubled their lead with Oreskovich’s second goal of the night at 17:12 of the opening frame. He skated in on a two-on-one and held the puck, deked and slid the puck between the legs of Murphy and sent the Checkers netminder to the bench.

Murphy kicked out 10 of 12 shots before being replace by John Muse at 17:12. Muse (1-0-0) stopped all 24 shots in 42:40 of relief duty.

Charlotte (16-11-1-1) got on the scoreboard at 11:17 of the second period. Working on the power play, defenseman Mathieu Roy’s shot from the point was redirected by right wing Matthew Pistilli past Wolves goaltender Eddie Lack to make the score 2-1.

Charlotte tied the score on the power play at 2-2 when center Jon Matsumoto scooped up a loose puck at the side of the crease and flipped a shot past Lack at 2:05 of the third period.

The Checkers grabbed the lead 3-2 at 7:29 of the final frame. Forward Zac Dalpe held the puck below the goal line and found center Zach Boychuk in the slot who wristed a shot past Lack, top-shelf.

Charlotte inched ahead 4-2 just 2:22 later. Right wing Jerome Samson controlled a face-off win and snapped a shot over the stick of Lack.

Lack (4-7-3) thwarted 27 of 31 shots.

The Wolves return home for a game against the Toronto Marlies at 3 p.m Sun., Dec. 18 at the Allstate Arena.